The Best Instant Pot Chili

This recipe for The Best Instant Pot Chili is the perfect easy party recipe for football season!

This post has been sponsored by BUSH’S® Chili Beans, McCormick®, and Hunt’s®. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

FINALLY! Finally, the Bears aren’t completely terrible for the first time in quite a few years.

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know how big of a Bears fan I am. My dad has had season tickets since my sisters and I were just little girls, having to hold hands through the stadium to stay together.

This season, I’ve only missed a couple of home games. And of course, they’re way more fun when the Bears are actually GOOD!

Growing up, when the Bears were away, my dad usually had a big spread of “5-Way Chili” during the game.

This version of a 5-way chili bar includes an Instant Pot chili recipe that’s quick and super easy to make with a few shortcut ingredients. I bought everything I needed at my favorite local Jewel-Osco store, including BUSH’S® Chili Beans, McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix, and Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes to amplify the flavor.

BUSH’S® Chili Beans (which are made for chili!) are simmered in a chili sauce, which adds amazing flavor to this chili recipe. Plus, using McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix for this recipe adds the perfect level of heat, saves time, and makes my life easier.

Last but certainly not least, Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes are chopped (so you don’t have to) and packed in their own juice.

How To Make 5-Way Instant Pot Chili

The classic version of 5-way chili (also known as Cincinnati chili) included spaghetti, but we always ate it with macaroni instead. Plus, my dad always added a secret ingredient: corn chips!

The fun thing about the chili bar was that it was up to us to choose how many “ways” we wanted to eat ours.

• 2-way = macaroni and chili
• 3-way = macaroni, chili, cheese
• 4-way = macaroni, chili, onions, cheese
• 5-way = macaroni, chili, onion, cheese, and a very special ingredient: corn chips!

I added additional toppings to my chili bar because I’m a firm believer that you can never have too many toppings. Mine includes macaroni, cheese, onions, cilantro, sour cream, avocado and hot sauce.

I love this chili bar idea for a football game day party because it’s super easy to set up, and it’s a true crowd pleaser. Who doesn’t like chili?!

How To Make Instant Pot Chili

Because chili is always just as good the second day, this recipe can be made a day in advance. If you’re throwing a party last-minute, because this is a pressure cooker chili recipe, it’s even easier to prepare the morning of your party.

In my opinion, Instant Pot chili tastes just as good as if you were to slow cook it or let it simmer in a pot all day.

Just brown the ground beef and onion, add the rest of your ingredients, and let the machine do the magic! I use the soup/chili setting on my pressure cooker, but you can also use the regular pressure cook setting.

Then, all that’s left to do is place your toppings in bowls and set the bar for serving.

Toppings to prepare ahead of time: chop onion and chop cilantro

Toppings to prepare before serving: prepare macaroni and drizzle with olive oil to prevent it from sticking, chop avocado, shred cheese

How To Freeze Chili

Let chili cook completely and place in large freezer bag. Press all the air out of the bag and zip shut. Place in the freezer laying flat to save space!

To eat, let the bag thaw overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave until warm.

The Best Game Day Party Idea

How To Make A 5-Way Chili Bar With pressure cooker chili really is my favorite football party idea! The only thing that would make it better is if the Bears are playing in the game.

To make this recipe in a slow cooker, cook the ground beef, onion, celery and pepper in a pan first. Then, dump it along with all other ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 5 hours.